The Summer That Changed Everything: Episode 2 (Gay Romance Visual Novel)

"The Summer That Changed Everything" is an episodic gay romance visual novel based on the novel by Tina Isabel Leung. It narrates the love story of two former classmates that fall in love after a failed suicide attempt and writing together a bucket list.

"The Summer That Changed Everything" is an episodic visual novel that follows  former classmates Markus and Karsten, through a life-changing summer after high school. As they step into adulthood, combat emotional issues, support their friends, and seek themselves, they will also fall in love.

This game will feature 7 episodes, amounting to approximately 37,000 words of text. Click here for Episode 1. And don't forget to follow Hasalynx Games on itch.io now, to never miss an episode!

Episode 2 takes us to Berlin in the summer of 2016, where Markus continues to grapple with his depression, as well as a profound sense of emptiness. His favorite spot along the Havel River offers little solace this time.

An enlightening chess lesson from Ilse attempts to redirect his thoughts, yet his mind lingers on Susanna, the unrequited love that he left behind in Italy.

 One night, under the vast expanse of stars at an abandoned airport, Markus and Karsten kick around a football and delve into heartfelt conversations. Markus wonders if Susanna might ever consider him as boyfriend, sparking a candid discussion about the nature of love and one’s orientation.

 Meanwhile, Karsten faces his own turmoil, struggling with feelings for Markus as they embark on a series of adventures across Berlin, starting with playful pranks at a famed Cold War checkpoint. Amidst their escapades, a candid café conversation about Judith's battle with anorexia brings them closer.

The episode crescendos as Markus inquires about Karsten's romantic life, leading to an uncomfortable yet vulnerable moment. Karsten reflects on his identity, understanding that his orientation is just a facet of his complex character...

In Episode 2:

• The episode offers 6,900 words of engaging narrative closely based on Tina Isabel Leung's novel "The Summer that Changed Everything," skillfully switching between Markus and Karsten's viewpoints to deepen the emotional experience.

• Meet Susanna through Markus' memories, while also checking out the new looks of characters like Markus, Karsten, Ilse, Judith, and even... Markus' grandmother!

• Players face three crucial choices that shape the characters' openness and sincerity.  Choices aligned with the novel are highlighted with a star.

• This episode presents meticulously designed backgrounds that capture the essence of old Berlin, including imaginative versions of famous spots.

• The soundtrack, crafted by Jason Shaw and Shane Ivers, blends acoustic guitar with elements of rock and piano, enhancing the atmospheric storytelling.

This game was developed by a human and incorporates AI-generated resources. Read here how Hasalynx Games responsibly uses AI in its creations.

The game is controlled by mouse and keyboard. Beyond you can find information about keyboard shortcuts:

• Esc - Menu Screen
• Space - Progress the Game
• A - Auto Mode
• F - Skip / Fast forward
• B - Backlog (Check it out for a hidden artwork!)
• L - Load game screen
• S - Save game screen

Hasalynx Games is an indie game gig that doesn't have any external funding and mostly relies on founder's funds and private effort to create the games. If they spark your curiosity, please buy them (they're so cheap!), comment, and spread positive word. Also, don't forget to add this game to your collections and follow Hasalynx Games on itch.io, so as to receive updates when a new game is up!

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Grab your copy of "The Summer That Changed Everything: Episode 2" now, and if you haven't yet, make sure to pick up Episode 1 too, through our special episode sale. Plus, mark your calendars—Episode 3 is set to release on or before November 26.

And while you wait, why not explore our other amazing deals on gay romance visual novels? We have a wide array of captivating titles specifically tailored for those seeking heartfelt LGBTQ+ stories. Check out our collections: 10 Gay Romance Visual Novels, 8 Short Ancient World Gay Romance Visual Novels and 5 Asian Gay Romance Visual Novels. Don’t miss out on these fantastic stories! Explore our offerings today and find your next favorite game!